Page 58 of Inferno

Observing his satisfied grin, Dr. Gilliard noted wryly, “So I take it you’ve got no complaints in that department?”

“No, ma’am,” he drawled. “No complaints whatsoever.”

“I see.” The doctor smiled brightly. “Well, that’s good to hear.”

“Indeed.”

Just then Stan’s watch beeped. As he silenced the alarm, Dr. Gilliard raised a brow at him.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “I promised Manning that I’d take him to a matinee this afternoon before his brothers get home from school, so I’ll have to cut out fifteen minutes early today.”

“Is this the same Manning who’s supposed to be on punishment for getting suspended from school?”

“Yeah.”Stan sat up and swung his booted feet to the floor. “I took his brothers to the movies on Tuesday, so I kinda owe the kid.”

“Lucky him.”

Ignoring the note of disapproval in Dr. Gilliard’s voice, Stan asked, “Have you found a new receptionist yet?”

“Not yet. I’ve interviewed a few candidates and hope to make a decision soon. In the meantime, I’m afraid you’re stuck scheduling appointments through me.”

Stan nodded, not entirely comfortable with the arrangement. “That reminds me. When you paged me the other day—”

“I’m so sorry about that,” Dr. Gilliard interrupted with anembarrassedgrimace. “I actually thought I was paging someone else, but I must have dialed the wrong number. I apologize if I caused you any trouble.”

Talk about an understatement, Stan mused grimly. Aloud he merely said, “No harm done.”

“Great.” Dr. Gilliard watched as he rose from the sofa and crossed to the coat rack to retrieve his battered leather jacket. “By the way, I really like that sweater you’re wearing. That shade of green looks amazing on you.”

“Thanks,” Stan said, glancing down at himself. “Prissy bought this for me.”

“Really?”Dr. Gilliard smiled. “So she has good taste in clothesandmen.”

Stan chuckled, watching as the doctor stood and came toward him. “Thanks for the talk,” he told her.

“You don’t have to thank me, Stan. I always enjoy our sessions. Besides,” she added with a wink, “your insurance company compensates me just fine.”

He laughed. “I’m sure they do. See you next month.”

“Actually,” Dr. Gilliard blurted as he opened the door to leave, “I’ll see you at the fireman’s ball on Saturday night.”

He turned back to her. “You’ll be there?”

“Of course.”She smiled teasingly. “I consider it my professional duty to observe how my patients behave in social settings.”

Stan grinned. “In that case, I’ll try to be on my best behavior.”

Dr. Gilliard laughed, casually laying a hand on his arm.

“All kidding aside,” Stan said ruefully, “since Prissy doesn’t know that I’ve been coming to you, I hope you’ll understand that I can’t introduce you to her.”

“Of course I understand,” Dr. Gilliard assured him. “Doctor–patient confidentiality is very important to me, Stan.”

He flashedher agrateful smile, then turned and walked out, never suspecting that she hurried to the window to watch him saunter to his truck. Never suspecting that long after he’d driven out of sight, she stoodthere plottingways to lure him away from his wife.